New York man guilty of sexual assault of Aurora child

A New York man faces a minimum of 15 years in prison after a Kane County jury convicted him Tuesday of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.

Rene Cuanetl, 36, of Queens, New York, remains in the Kane County jail, where he has been since his arrest in January 2020. His next court date is May 13 for sentencing.

Cuanetl sexually assaulted the victim, who he knew, on Oct. 1, 2018. The victim was under age 13 and lived in Aurora.

The charges were filed in December 2018. The victim's parents contacted police immediately after learning of her abuse, according to a news release from the Kane County state's attorney's office.

Cuanetl will have to register for life as a sex offender.

"I hope this verdict brings peace and a sense of justice to this victim/survivor and puts her in a place of safety," Assistant State's Attorney Matthew Rodgers said in the news release. "She has shown so much bravery during this prosecution."